I grew up in a small village in County Durham. We had an upsidedown house, my bedroom was downstairs and the living room was upstairs. Our house was quite isolated and during the summer my brother and sister and I would roam the countryside making bird noises, and in bad weather I would while away the hours drawing.

I studied illustration at Glasgow School of Art, then I had a few different jobs until my first book 'I'm Too Busy' was published in 1998. My next book is called 'The Night Iceberg' and is about a girl who decides to run away from home on an iceberg.

I like to draw from life, taking a sketchbook everywhere I go. You can see some of these sketches on my blog. Often these sketchbook drawings lead to new book ideas.

Fleabag was shortlisted for the Blue Peter 'Best Fun Story With Pictures' award and was Commended at the Sheffield Picture Book Awards. It also won the Dundee Picture Book Award. Blue Horse and Tilly won Best World Theme Story. Twinkly Night was shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Baby Book Award.

I recently left London to live in Northumberland with my partner and baby daughter.